There will be a €13,000 prize fund and three sponsors for the Irish Club Professional Tournament at Dromoland Castle from May 16-17.

The PGA in Ireland, Carr Golf, DS Automobiles and Monami Construction have agreed to a deal to stage the 36-hole professional-only event at the five-star Co Clare resort for the second year running.

David Higgins retained his title at Dromoland Castle last year, carding a pair of 72s to win by three shots from Colm Moriarty, Richard Kilpatrick, Brian McElhinney and Eamonn Brady on level par.

“We were very happy with the profile the golf course and estate received from the inaugural tournament last year," said Dromoland Castle's Managing Director, Mark Nolan.

"A second year gives us an opportunity to once again engage with professionals from all over Ireland and to promote and develop the golf facility at Dromoland Golf & Country Club.”

Designed by Brook L. Wigginton, the golf course opened in 1961 before it was extensively redesigned by Ron Kirby and Joe Carr in 2003.

Corporate teams of three will be invited to play the one-day, shotgun (12 pm) Pro-Am on May 15, which will include a morning PGA Coaching Clinic and prize giving followed by dinner and entertainment in Dromoland Castle. 

Speaking about the sponsorship, Louise Murphy, Marketing Director, DS Automobiles Ireland, commented: "We are thrilled to announce the partnership of DS Automobiles with the 2018 Irish Club Professional Golf Tournament again this year, hosted by the impressive Dromoland Golf & Country Club.

"As an emerging premium brand in the motor industry, DS Automobiles is proud to support one of Ireland’s premier golf tournaments, and we wish all the competitors the very best for the tournament."

The impressive DS Automobiles range including the DS 3, DS 4, DS 4 Crossback and DS 5 will be on display on the grounds of Domoland Golf & Country Club throughout the tournament offering spectators the opportunity to discover more about the brand.

Parties interested in sponsoring the event or entering a team in the Pro-Am should contact the Dromoland team on 061 368 444 or email golf@dromoland.ie.

For more information, please contact the PGA in Ireland's Michael McCumiskey on +353 (42) 932 1193.